David Crowley approved millions for wife's employer

Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Crowley personally approved significant increases in county funding for Community Advocates, a nonprofit that employs his wife, Ericka Crowley.

Records indicate that while serving as Milwaukee County Executive, Crowley signed off on contract approvals that raised the county’s financial commitment to the organization from $6.5 million to $17.85 million between 2020 and 2021.

Crowley addressed the matter in a May 2021 letter to the Milwaukee County Ethics Board regarding a rental assistance contract. He stated that the organization was selected due to its competency and long-standing ties to the county, asserting that his wife’s employment did not influence the decision and that many contracts were initiated before she joined the nonprofit. Crowley noted the letter was intended to maintain ‘full transparency.’